ICC World Cup 2015: South Africa seal massive win over Ireland

Hashim Amla scored his career best of 159 runs against Ireland.[Getty]

South Africa sealed their third win of the group stage fixture of the 2015 ICC World Cup with a victory over Ireland on Tuesday.

The African side garnered a mammoth 201-run victory as Ireland suffered their first loss of the tournament in their third match.

After winning the toss, AB de Villiers elected to bat first but his team suffered an early blow with the departure of Quinton de Kock (1) in the third over. Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla then went on to add a 247-run partnership for the second wicket.

Amla scored his career best of 159 runs, before being caught by Ed Joyce at long-off in the 39th over. Meanwhile, Du Plessis also reached the three-figure mark and managed 109 runs, before being bowled out by Kevin O'Brien.

David Miller (46 not out) and Rilee Rossouw's unbeaten 61 helped South Africa post a total of 411 runs. It is the Proteas' second consecutive 400-plus total in ODIs after achieving this feat during their comfortable victory over West Indies in their last match.

In reply, Ireland lost wickets at regular intervals. They lost the first five wickets with just 48 runs on the board. Andy Balbirnie (58) and Kevin O'Brien's (48) partnership in between, followed by Max Sorensen and George Dockrell helped William Porterfield's side post a total of over 200 runs.

Dockrell was the last man to be dismissed by Morne Morkell as Ireland were bowled out for 210 runs at the end of the 45th over. Amla was named Man of the Match for his brilliant display with the bat and also for taking two spectacular catches at slip.

South Africa now sit second in the table with six points from four matches, while Ireland are fourth with four points, level on points with third place West Indies.

The African nation take on Pakistan in their upcoming clash on Saturday, while Ireland face Zimbabwe on the same day.